SRIMANTA SANKARADEVA KALAKSHETRA
p r e s e n t s
ASU DEV RETROSPECTIVE III
06 MARCH TO 08 APRIL 2007
In collaboration with the artist’s family and www.artofasudev.org.in
Exhibition to honor artist
A STAFF REPORTER
March 4: The city’s cultural hub – Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra – will pay tribute to legendary artist Asu Dev by hosting a monthlong retrospective of the pioneer’s works.
Kalakshetra will put up 80 of Dev’s most critically acclaimed works for display at its gallery from Tuesday.
“Dev is a legend whose works shaped the art world of Assam. So the retrospective of his works is a tribute to the renowned artist and his work,” an official of the Kalakshetra said.
Dev was born on December 13, 1917 at Dhubri but spent the better part of his life in the city, where he produced his best works.
He died on February 6, 1983 at his residence in the state capital.
Along with depicting the “real rural” land of Assam in his paintings, most of them on nature and landscape, Dev’s works also throw light on the lifestyle of various ethnic groups of the state.
During his career spanning over four decades, Dev showcased his works across the country and received much appreciation.
Some of his most acclaimed exhibitions were a solo show organised by the House of Soviet Culture in collaboration with All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society at New Delhi in May 1979, a group show organised by the directorate of cultural affairs, government of Assam in Guwahati in September 1980 and another solo show organised by cultural department of the USSR Consulate General at Gorky Sadan in Calcutta in February 1982.
“My father is a pioneer. He not only depicted the life, people and places of Assam on canvas, but also actively worked for the development of art at a time, when artist received no help from anywhere. But now the scenario has changed for the growth and development of art world of Assam in particular and region as a whole,” said Dev’s son Anutosh.
Courtesy:
The Telegraph
05 March 2007 GUWAHATI EDITION
REPORT ON THE INAUGURAL FUNCTION:
The month long exhibition was inaugurated by Dr.Amalendu Guha an eminent Educationist. Mr. Goutam Sharma. Secretary Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra spoke about how the Kalakshetra is organising the exhibition. A multicolour catalogue containing reprints of the artists works was formally released by Mr. Neelpawan Barua an eminent artist.
Mr. Sobha Brahma, a renowned artist spoke about his association with ASU DEV. He also spoke about seeing the first solo exhibition of ASU DEV held in Guwahati in 1952. This was the first ever solo exhibition of an artist in Assam.
Dr Guha relived old memories of his association with ASU DEV.
Mr. Anutosh Deb the artist’s son also an artist himself also spoke about the details of the paintings displayed in the Exhibition. He also expressed gratitude to the people who were behind the exhibition. The exhibition displayed 27 sketches, 23 water colour tempara, 34 oil paintings on canvas and other surface and 03 sculptures on wood.
The inaugural function was attended by artists and well wishers of ASU DEV. The exhibition was extended till 30 April 2007.
PPC Doordarshan Kendra Guwahati Program:
The PPC Doordarshan Kendra Guwahati recorded a documentary showcasing ‘Woman in the Paintings of ASUDEV’ in a 13 minutes recording entitled ‘Woman on Canvas’. The program also interviewed noted artist Aminul Haque, the artist’s students Dr. Nilima Haque Thakuria and Dr. Bandita Deka apart from the artist’s son, Anutosh Deb. This had been the first ever program on the Artist on television.
VIDEO COURTESY: you tube videos